TasteBudz for January 21, 2016

THERE’S NO BUSINESS LIKE SNOW BUSINESS: So, will tomorrow’s event be the storm of the century, or the hype of the year? Personally, I’m tired of the local meteorologists predicting two feet of snow and then coming back the a day after we get a cold drizzle and expecting us to congratulate them for being wrong. “We dodged a bullet,” they say gleefully. If we’re not gonna get snow, I can take it like a man, but don’t promise and fail to deliver. If past experience is an indicator, I’m guessing we’ll get about 3 inches of snow or less.

Let's go eat.

snow mobile

However, there’s some sort of ingredient in snow that just the mention of the word makes us hungry. That’s why there is no bread left on the shelves in Richmond, today. Yesterday, filled with hunger, I headed out to find something a little more exciting than a grocery store, like local bakeries, for example. I also got some advice from some of our friends on Facebook. So, if you’re working up an appetite by watching Jim Duncan, here are some filling suggestions

LARK LANDS IN A NEW SPOT: Someone told me they thought Lark Bake Shop and Cafe in Mechanicsville had closed. But then, yesterday, when I asked for some bakery suggestions, Cliff D. from Mechanicsville suggested Lark. So, I checked with the owners and the answer is they’re not closed. They did close just long enough to move to a new location in the front of the same shopping center (6102 Brasher Blvd). They’re opening at four this afternoon (1/21). I hear they may even have some snow specials. I know they’ve added some gluten-free products. So, check ‘em out.

FOOD ON A HILL: When it comes to favorite bakeries, two of my faves are on the Hill,

Sub Rosa Bakery

sub rosa

Church Hill that is. I stopped in at Sub Rosa yesterday. If you want to get snowed in with some great bread, you really need to get over to Sub Rosa Bakery on 25th Street. I’m partial to the flatread, but it’s all good. The pastries are also fantastic, too. Just a couple blocks away, you’ll find WPA Bakery. Sharon G.-S. from Midlothian, as well as Michelle K. recommended WPA, and I agree with them, both, wholeheartedly. I wouldn’t mind being snowed in with all the caneles I could eat, but I’m guessing there aren’t that many of those cute little pastries, made for popping in one’s mouth, on earth.

A VISIT TO THE SHORE: Johnny C. texted me his bakery suggestion and it’s a good one…Shore Dog Cafe at 435 B N. Ridge Rd. That’s really a cool, little place, where it would be fun to sit and watch the snow fall. They serve Lamplighter coffee and offer made-to-order sandwiches, paninis and pastries, plus some very good ice cream from Homestead Creamery.

shore dog cafe

THERE’S NO BUSINESS LIKE SNOW BUSINESS – PART 2: I’ve been putting the word out, trying to find some of those in-town places that serve a lot of the neighborhood locals, that are planning on staying open through the storm. So far, the only one I’m sure of is Sabai. And what cooler place to go. Just drink and walk responsibly. If you know of any others, post it on our Richmond Navigator Facebook page.

KING OF THE NEW FRONTIER: Speaking of Davy Crockett. Chris Davis, owner of Alamo BBQ, tells me he’s working on opening a new place to be known as Frontier by the Alamo. He says “We’ll be doing some fun things with many of the products that we serve here (at the Alamo). “We’ll explore international barbecues.” Chris says the focal point of the place, to be located in the 400 block of N. 25th Street, will be a wood-fire rotisserie. “It’s going to be different,” Chris says, “anything from a small lamb, to duck to whole fish. We’ll serve it Euro-style.” He also says the Frontier will offer a communal atmosphere, similar to venues he remembers from growing up in South Texas.

Chris won’t guess at an opening date, quite yet. “I want to take my time and do it right,” he told me.

MORE ON 25TH STREET: With the Frontier opening on 25th Street, there will be two new establishments being opened by successful, local restaurateurs. Josh Carlton, Amy Foxworthy and Chip Zimmerman, owners of the Mill on MacArthur, had previously announced plans to open a second restaurant in the site of the old East End Theater at 418 N. 25th Street. The owners recently announced that the name of their new place will be Liberty Public House.

Well, I’m going to go check the weather forecast again. If we do get some snow, and if you know of any neighborhood joints holding snow parties, please let us know. You can post on our Facebook page, or email it to me at Steve@RichmondNavigator.com.